I Bought a 1957 Gibson Les Paul...

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📚Description: I Bought a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special that is a little unlike most. This started life as your regular 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special in a TV Yellow finish with 2 p90 pickups and a wrap tailpiece but at some point in the later-70s, it was stripped+refinished all the while adding a "Mystic Maiden" inlaid onto the top with plastic, mother of pearl, abalone and wood. It was also routed for Dimarzio Humbuckers, refretted, reamed for Schaller tuners and a placque etched into the back. What we have is far from a $20,000 original example... but something dripping with more vibe than your eyes have room for.
0:00 - Unboxing 1957 Gibson Les Paul Special
0:35 - First Look / Impressions
1:35 - The Story
2:57 - Workbench / Specs
12:38 - Blacklight Test
13:53 - Clean Tones
15:18 - Dirty Tones
16:58 - Final Thoughts
18:50 - Watch Next
Join me as we document the Mystic Maiden Les Paul Special and hopefully this video will find someone who knows more about its past life.
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[@Trog]

What song are you playing on this one? 🟢Check it out on My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🔴Available on Reverb: tidd.ly/4aFiyhC 🐕 Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/

[@hkguitar1984]

What a wonderful example of Americana Artwork, the fact that its a confirmed vintage Gibson is icing on the cake! Austin, thank you for documenting this instrument. 8:50 I would imagine that with full string tension the truss rod would still function when you loosen it. Loosening the truss rod with no string tension wouldn't do much if the neck is already "dead flat".

[@Lucky..B]

Paul Revier and the Raiders had something like that or another show like that !

[@FamilyTreeRG]

Id play my own songs

[@clarkbabin9799]

I could see someone like Zack Wylde playing that guitar.

[@The_Beautiful_People]

REPEAT -do not take the brown acid-

[@wiseguy9202]

Ominous Seapods?

[@keefjunior4061]

Why not? The bad trips are often the most life changing ones. Almost all of my heavy LSD, experiences, (>5000ug), had some terrifying elements in them.

[@dukenukem69]

Take the brown acid, wear the brown pants and play the brown guitar in the middle of a mud pit

[@weedian710]

It was probably not real LSD, likely DOB or something similar.

[@maytechmayhem6178]

brown acid , yellow snow . so many rules

[@b.rodclark334]

Those hot Dimarzio humbuckers are DP100 Super Distortions, the first high-output model pickup of the time this Special likely got modded.

[@mtbikesam68]

This is by far the coolest guitar you have ever featured. I positively love this kind of thing. When this guitar was just a guitar and not some "amazing vintage piece" the owner did something incredible to make it theirs and did it quite well. All things being equal, I would take this over a clean stock version any day. Look at the way the top is chamfered all along the edges of the inlay work. This was done by a true craftsman and it shows. Oh, and I wouldn't DISplay it, I would PLAY it, every chance I got. Beautiful.

[@Kahuna54]

Under the black light the back almost looks TV Yellow!

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

In the 1900's there were tables laid in with abalone, ivory and dark mahogany. I think the inlays came from such a salvaged piece.

[@davewestner]

5 years from now: "I bought a 1958 Les Paul" 12 years from now, "I bought Jimmy Page's guitar"

[@mikey380sx]

20 years from now, "I bought Gibson"

[@davewestner]

@@mikey380sx now you're talkin!

[@tylersecor4668]

I’m not sure I have ever wanted a guitar more than this one. I love the custom inlays, and how it has aged.

[@bzerob7362]

Doom stoner for days!

[@jvboy401]

Thats the funny thing about collector guitars. This one is just hideous to me. But to each their own, and i hope you find "your" thing one day

[@keefjunior4061]

Right?!? I immediately went to his Reverb to only be disappointed at the asking price, which is bug picking nuts.

[@christophersambuco9414]

It's a cool guitar, but it's very chopped up. I might go 4K.

[@MaiWhisper]

Same 😍

[@donkeyboy585]

P90s were unpopular in the 70s so a few Juniors,Specials and ES330s got the dimarzio treatment. Personally I think they’re great pickups

[@Rex-pn6eu]

Austin, that is the best playing I've heard from you. The guitar is the one. I can tell it really speaks to you and through you. A soul mate you have found in your west wind lady. The jam was great! I recall when you could barely play. I'm proud of all your hard work and accomplishments. Peace.

[@dananthony6258]

It’s the ultimate original relic job. Lol. I like this guitar a lot .

[@leonwhildenjr4483]

Hey Austin, thats a Cool old Gibson that is still sounding good. It’s got a interesting story to tell, Thanks for sharing friend.😎🙏⭐️🕊🦋🕊🌅✌️🎉🇺🇸

[@SwirkH]

Glad Trogly didn't miss out on an opportunity to play The Call of Ktulu on a guitar with this type of artwork

[@davidgreenwood6029]

Cthulhu.

[@barbarianlothario1376]

It’s actually Shakazulu, genius.

[@henrymclaughlinheil8317]

@@davidgreenwood6029 its spelled ktulu on the album. there are also lots of different spelling for Cthulhu

[@scottbivins4051]

@@barbarianlothario1376 what he said below you genius.

[@Les537]

TV yellow LP specials are my #1 guitars. This guitar here is a CRIME SCENE in my opinion. Swapping p90s for humbucking dimarzio is worth at least 10 or 15 years in prison just for a start. Rock on, Trog.

[@TylerJohnstonGuitar]

This thing is out there. Almost reminds me of a PRS Dragon with the body inlays. I bet the original owner got years of enjoyment out of it.

[@samuelandmisty]

This guitar has to have a story. Can't imagine just some local dive guitarist used it.

[@gordonanderson3111]

No doubt the missing plate on the back had the artists signature, or something.

[@davidgreenwood6029]

COuld have been someone who was both a hobby guitarist, and hobby artist.

[@Christian-ew4eg]

Who ? is the question ... 🤔

[@FtwRider1]

I know the history on this guitar and the guy that owned and played it live.

[@davidgreenwood6029]

@@FtwRider1 Well, freaking tell us already?

[@SMarcey]

The inlay looks to me alot like the flowy hippie ladies you would see on Greatful Dead show posters from back in the 60s. This thing screams Haight Ashbury. An absolute treasure of a guitar

[@Slovy_]

The inner circle is the top vintage buyers. They send them an email with a picture of every as soon as it comes in. Before the regular public. I’m a tech for guitar center that how I know all this stuff

[@stratman9449]

my 1st thoughts were....who was the owner in the 70s who modded this guitar...would be nice to know.....and yes you're right thats what we all did back then.....we didn't think of the "vintage market" of 50 years ahead..god...there was enough going on then for us....cheers.

[@stealingtomorrowband]

Hmmmm, very interesting Les Paul, but i wouldn't pay $13,500 for that... But thats just me....

[@heyreadmefirst3522]

right it's like those random guys on reverb selling "relic'd by bla bla bla" guitars. as if them ruining a guitar somehow makes them worth more.

[@larrynoe6162]

It just has to be worth sharing the story.maybe someone will recognize her and come forward.

[@geneevans7885]

So glad I’m done buying guitars.

[@MuscleCarLover]

Compensated wrap tail, a replacement bone nut and it'd probably be a fine gigging machine. It looks great and sounds even better, it's definitely eye catching

[@sailinbob11]

Put a brass Trogley plate in that space on the back. Anyone who didn't like it could remove it,or something the right size from that auction, of the lady that worked with Gibson. Sounds good to me.

[@telemaster]

Trog, put the inlay in the YT thumbnail - it’s iconic. Also the inlay wood is definitely rosewood. What an epic, wacky piece!

[@sebdhm52]

13.5k USD for what is essentially a rough, routed, modified, stripped, inlaid and headstock repaired 57 special husk.... But hey you get a "most likely" original pickguard!

[@KennedyIvy]

Yeah, its basically scrap wood that has gibson logo on top

[@sebdhm52]

@@KennedyIvy It isn't really scrap wood by any means, it has value. But for that price it wouldn't be too far fetched to come across an all original example in player's condition

[@donttalktome4696]

Oooof

[@keefjunior4061]

And for $12k there are a couple of excellent condition originals. This is ridiculous. It’s def cool. I actually want it, but I’m more in the $6-$7k zone. This is just stupid. Trogly doesn’t understand his market yet. He has a lot of “collectible” Gibsons that no one wants. Chet Atkins prototype? How many Atkins fans are even out there at this point?

[@marcreno893]

It probably doesn’t stay in tune either but that adds to the value

[@waskerbasket9601]

That looks exactly like my guitar w/o the inlays

[@07blackdog]

I had a '56 LP Special. Bought it in '77 for $325.00, sold it in 2001 for $325.00. I was refinished, Humbuckers installed, Badass bridge, Grovers. Had a split in the headstock and a really bad twist in the neck. I could never get it to play good.

[@bradrehn1007]

I just gotta say, though it reminds you of Pirates, that is Noveau Revivalism. Re-popularized by the SF psychedelic poster scene. An homage to the artistic style of Mucha in particular. High brow BS aside, that beauty has a beast inside ! I hope it's future custodian allows it to run both loud and free!✌️

[@timhuffman5311]

You are absolutely right. I remember it from the late 60's early 70's. I don't remember if it was on a poster or album cover. This will drive me crazy now until I remember it.

[@dukenukem69]

Smoke on the water turned to 11

[@jamesalley7387]

The metal riffs sounded epic

[@pharmerdavid1432]

I hate metal, and this channel too, so why am I here then? ------------------------------------->!

[@GummerNH]

Fun guitar! Please slow down the panning back and forth when you are trying to show us something (might take an extra breath when you have an exciting guitar ; ) Also the inlay was upside down for most of the video. 🙃

[@jackrabbit-cv1jh]

Great tone on the distortion! Man it rocks! The pickups have aged well and the wood has great quality too!

[@picksalot1]

Though inlays and fancy guitars are not my thing, I can appreciate what a good job the artist did, and how nicely the finish on it has aged.

[@frankwebster9110]

Super cool Austin. Rarely do modded vintage guitars hold down the good vibe . But this one certainly does!

[@davidwhiteford4936]

Wow, that has the Laurel Canyon/Topanga Canyon vibe! Nice!!

[@danielbreaux1842]

It woukd be cool if someone saw this video and had the story to tell us!

[@Furtheronmusic]

That is so cool. I'd wager those are 70s/80s Dimarzio super distortion humbuckers. I remember the days of people sticking them in vintage Gibsons. I was in a band around turn to the 80s other guitarist had a 60s SG special... With a Dimarzio dual sound humbucker in it. Like these but with coil split

[@pmsphoto]

I put that pair (Super Distortion & Dual Sound) DiMarzio's in my very cheap LP copy (£ 60 GBP in 1981) as an upgrade.... Managed to lose them when I stripped the guitar down ! Found out a few weeks ago what they're now worth !! 🤢

[@Furtheronmusic]

@@pmsphoto I have 2 1981 Dimarzio PAFs that are on thier third guitar.

[@stevecooper3487]

I draw the line at cavity sniffing!😂

[@dougbutlertmmm]

Wow, if there was ever a guitar I would love to hear the story from, that's it! Sublimely beautiful inlay work and sounds great.

[@whiskypapa6731]

Gibson should make a "Blank Canvas" model ....... for Carver's or Pyro's, Inlayer's and Painter's ...... A Guitar that can't be devalued, only enhanced by the Customer .....

[@theanalogkid6749]

Not a bad idea.

[@garrettcraig3527]

I love that guitar. You can tell someone put their heart in it, and it shows in the all around beauty. Looks, sounds, and the originality. On a scale of 1 to 20, I would give it a 20. Someone made chicken soup from chicken scraps

[@fritzarmstrong8232]

A friend picked up one of these '57s in the 90s (?) -mostly original. He plays over 300 shows a year- about 1/3 of the time on the '57. It's named "Michelle"... Some serious miles on that guitar! Still plays it regularly... If he ever literally wears that one out... THIS IS THE GUITAR FOR JAIK WILIS

[@silvernuggets1285]

a 57 with 70s looks and a modern sound. Love it❤

[@patrickclune3600]

Sorry my friend, I have my own vintage ‘50’s Gibson Lp’s I bought for cheap back in the mid ‘70’s, Lp Jr’s too. I think if I saw this back then it’d still be hanging there if the store was still open. It seemed nobody wanted them. I got them almost excellent to mint some for $200.00 and tops $350.00. The ones for $200.00 didn’t have the cases. I was working just to buy guitars for a long time lol

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Wow those were the days I bet! But im sure back then it took a while to save up $200-300 right?

[@donrepcon7704]

You should keep it! Whoever buys it probably won't play it. It's just too unique and indicative of the times. Would look great in a museum for that reason! By the way, your playing has really improved from when I first subscribed. Good show.

[@jubei7259]

When you see a guitar that's clearly been played as much as this beauty has, you just know it's gonna sound wicked. There's a reason those vintage DiMarzio's were so popular during the 70's too. They sound very different from modern DiMarzio's, which simply don't measure up (imho of course). I love this guitar.

[@Cronoxus]

I found one of these and found a proper buyer for it just last month. And 2 days ago I played both a 56 and 58 TV special as well as a 63 strat and so so so so much more. Love the videos!

[@windward2818]

The pots do not look like guitar pots readily available in the mid 70s (CTS, Gibson), they look like audio taper radio (stereo) pots. Also, the solder wire used was not multicore, which we take for granted today, but back then it was relatively new and more expensive than the single core. One benefit of the multicore was it did not make as large of a mess as single core, which you can see on the solder joints on the pot case(s).

[@wilhelmtheconquerer6214]

This is my favourite type of vintage guitar; used, abused and loved for years and years, regularly upgraded to suit it's users needs. A true player's player (not to mention a real head turner)

[@acatwiththreenames3658]

I love this guitar, there are other TV yellow specials but only one of this guitar. There is something great about well loved guitars.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Sweet 57 Special Modded! There's a 1959 DC Special with orig P90s for $12500CAD at my LGS. Has a repaired neck heel break (broke the tenon right out there's a biscuit in there now under the relocated pup) but otherwise very clean. Too bad about the break it's so clean.

[@musicauthority674]

That's a very very unique piece of history. very AWESOME!!!!!! massive sustain. that's strange I just got done watching a video. of the Steve Allen show circa.1962 where Frank Zappa was the guest. and he was playing bicycles as musical instruments. it was a very young 23 year old Frank Zappa. and I was thinking Frank Zappa and this guitar. and then you said that definitely weird.

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Quite an extraordinary find. In 1976 a mosaic was stolen from the museum of classical history in Athens. After the Elgin marbles this artefact is of primary concern to the Greek department of antiquities. Whilst the head is fake the rest appears genuine.

[@intelgrunt]

Interesting how the strings are pushed out of the bridge notches to the treble side.

[@realdocloco]

wrong bridge for the guitar - those were never intented to be slanted. Put a Mojoaxe on it.

[@AvyScottandFlower]

The sea is a cruel mistress To a pirate's guitar 🦜☠️🏝️

[@bobsebring2819]

Arrrrrr, me buckoo!

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

That’s one of the most beautiful guitars I’ve ever seen. I can verify - in the 1970’s you could pick these up for $ 25 - 50 dollars…. There were no collectors or vintage shops throughout most of the US

[@kevintaylor5079]

No way in hell could buy this guitar for 25/ 50 bucks in the 70’s!!

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

@@kevintaylor5079 Yes you could. Didn't spend much time looking in pawn shops back then?

[@kevintaylor5079]

@@IL2TXGunslinger I didn’t. If I’m wrong I stand corrected. Thanks. I grew up on Long Island and in my area there were no pawn shops!! Plus in those days I was a Gretsch man .

[@IL2TXGunslinger]

@@kevintaylor5079 I wondered if we'd grown up in different places. You, in the sophisticated world not far from New York - Me in the sticks of Central Texas. Very limited music (the 3 small bins of records at the 5 and dime) no music store. Lots of beer joints tho. If it wasn't a Tele and a Twin - it was a Kustom (good those were pos amps). I remember some of the bands I was in (from 14 until I left the sticks at 16) - where they had no idea of proper mix - adding more and more instruments to their wall of sound to make everything more "Full sounding". I only ever saw Les Pauls on TV - and then that was once a week - Doug Kirschner's show or Midnight Special. It's really really hard to express the lack of information back in those days. 59 Les Paul? I'm pretty sure I saw one go for $300 back then. Gruhn guitars wasn't founded until 1971. I do remember buying my first Strat, and early/mid 60's model for $450 in Newport RI (I was in the Navy a long time) in 1977.

[@kevintaylor5079]

Bogen

[@zigzagrz]

Very cool find

[@BushidoPhoto]

DiMarzio makes great pickups for high gain! I love them.

[@ravenheart1439]

The story's that guitar could tell ...crazy peteina on that headstock wow ..

[@jonnyf9049]

If you dont wanna buy a new wraptail you can use a file to deepen the slots a bit👌🏼

[@P-J-W-777]

I really hope you’re able to get the story as I’m damn sure there is an amazing story behind it. This wasn’t a weekend warrior guitar players guitar, it was a players guitar and most likely saw some serious road time.

[@petset77]

I love your channel, and I agree with a lot of what you're saying about this one. BUT.... it's still a stripped, refinished, and irreversibly changed guitar, vastly reducing it's collector's price. The routing for the plaque on back might be one of the worst offenses, and perhaps it might have added to value had it belonged to even a minor celebrity type player to those interested in such things. Imagine if it had been Jerry Garcia's or Duane Allman's! We'll never know. The front inlay is lovely work, but can't be restored to original by any means. As for the tuners, a former player recognized the advantages of better Schallers or Grovers as an upgrade, but original Kluson or Gibson Deluxe can be had by those wanting a semblance of original. Probably the same goes for the nice DiMarzios, with dated 50s pickups being more difficult to find. The replacements might have been better, but lower collector value. Same for 50s Gibson pots vs 70s replacements. The crack on the headstock is a big question. Original, more desirable Juniors sell for under 10K to 15K on Reverb. As nice as this one appears, it's not a 13k guitar. ...not trying to argue or question your reasoning for investing or selling, but I'm an old guy constantly checking on these things since my friend won't turn over his '54 Junior with no damage, and I have a collection including instruments from the early 50s to early 80s. .... but I'm always looking. Good luck with your sale. It's a very nice player's guitar.

[@brandonjackson5865]

That thing is oozing Mojo for sure looks cool and sounds pretty awesome too.

[@papasmamas1]

The inlay job is way cooler than many artistic inlay jobs big companies release.

[@666soso]

I'm absolutely in love with this guitar. Love it Trogly!

[@kocinski8734]

More guitars like this please.

[@GrungyChris]

You think guitars like this grow on trees? Thx I'll be here all week.

[@kocinski8734]

@@GrungyChris 😆

[@bradconklin2878]

What a cool-ass Gibson! (one of the rare instances where a neck break is ok:)

[@beckfreak2000]

Nice range of tones ,great inlay .like everybody else watching this vid would love to know the history behind this guitar ?

[@JacobMolesky]

does anyone know the song he's playing at 15:50. it sounds familiar but don't know what its called

[@toast8898]

American Woman - The Guess Who

[@georgeoh-well8116]

Gorgeous guitar. So much personality and character. Would love to know its story.

[@benallmark9671]

Epic tone.

[@VincentBrick]

Pretty sure the side dots are close from having the fingerboard sanded down during refret. As I think Bonamassa said "The sins have already been committed."

[@perseus31]

This is the coolest electric guitar I have ever seen. I know many guitars, all those specials, custom designs but nothing tops this. Just, amazing

[@nikopappas8484]

I have two vintage non-reverse Firebirds, both are about a 10 inch radius also.

[@bretolson8484]

Art Deco Masterpiece, and you really found your wave on it. Wish I could afford it, major vibes

[@user-kp1zz4ik5l]

Don’t my cup of tea but a really cool slice of history. The only downside for me is with those distorted pickups it’s a wall hanger rather than something I’d want to take to a blues gig...but interesting video tonight Austin 🎉

[@luthravin4774]

Was that the original paint in the control cavities? WOW

[@evrgreen_69]

That was awesome..Your playing continues to improve. Thanks dude!

[@TayTayKemp]

I swear some of y’all’s comments are cringe. Geez let Austin enjoy this fun piece

[@JD-te2pv]

Reminds me of the old Grateful Dead artist guitars. Steve Miller also had a decorated LP Special a few years ago.

[@smop]

Sounds good! Of course not original, but sounds both thick and very clear. I’d be happy with it.

[@andyc5392]

Fun show! I think someone may very likely recognize this unique guitar and fill you in on the back story…it sounds good!

[@jamesalley7387]

The sound! You played it differently. You might want to consider keeping it

[@paulmcdonald1258]

Outstanding! Thanks for sharing.

[@jorockish]

Sounds and looks great!

[@onyjdm]

Reminds me of the Santana Yamaha SG. Brown, body inlay, humbuckers. 1976 was the year he first played it as well, the year the humbuckers are possibly from.

[@markjamesmeli2520]

One question, how do we lose the abalone artwork. There's nothing really wrong with it, but it would be better on a wall hanging of some sort. That would definitely need some bridge work. Did that body have binding on it at one point?

[@joermnyc]

Specials from this era never had binding.

[@andybungert]

suuuuuper rad for so many reasons

[@edlaw51501]

I have to ask, how does the psychadelic mural and the routed pick up cavities affect the price ? If refinishing a 58-60 Les Paul goes down in price, the value of this 57 has to be affected dramatically ?

[@benrios7902]

Looks amazing. Clean tones were good. Way to much on the distortion tones

[@Deliquescentinsight]

This one looks loved, adored even

[@user-dj5gc1tg9d]

What if that woman inlay is the side profile of the EHX logo?!

[@laurencehastings7473]

I have those DiMarzio SD's in my Vox Standard 24

[@HamptonGuitars]

I just can't ever get my head around replacing P90s with HBs.

[@spider-fan1334]

THIS is the most beautiful guitar I’ve EVER seen!

[@patriottothecore6215]

I would get a couple of old P90’s and fill in the routes, perhaps disguising the fill in with more abalone.

[@dennisrice1557]

Nice Santana lead bro

[@george-wg6ug]

I love Dimarzios, don't get enough credit imo.

[@ohmtronseedling]

cool axe!

[@Johnmillard365]

Sounds amazing

[@paulmeier3462]

Cool guitar (and your guitar playing has definitely improved).